The 507 is based on the ­standard C-Class coupe, while the number in the title relates to the power, albeit in outdated horsepower (which engineers and marketers love, because it yields a bigger number than kilowatts).

This towering total – it equates to 373 kW – goes to the rear wheels courtesy of a hot-rodded, 6.2 litres, AMG version of Benz’s V8. That’s 37 kW, or about 10 per cent up, on the standard C63 AMG, which is itself no slouch.

The engine is an increasingly rare thing: a normally aspirated V8. The general trend in performance cars is towards fewer cylinders and forced induction, as evidenced by Benz’s own E400, which we’ll come to shortly.

With exterior enhancements, including prominent vents in the bonnet, unique wheels and seats, the 507 looks the part.

Acceleration

The acceleration time is quoted as 4.2 seconds to 100 kilometres per hour, but it feels quicker. The top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h, rather than the usual 250 km/h – in case you are heading to the Northern Territory. On a practical level, when overtaking you spend surprisingly little time on the wrong side of the road.

The stopping power is equally spectacular, while three stability control settings let you dial in how much race-car you want in your everyday driving. Even the slow settings are fast.

In exchange for handling that is wondrous, you endure ride quality that is brutal. Unsurprisingly, the engine drinks 98 octane fuel like, well, an ultra-performance V8.

The best I could possibly achieve was 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres in calm country cruising.

The official mixed figure is 12 lt/100 km, and when driving hard the sky is very nearly the limit.

Black version

In keeping with the corporate policy of offering more variants than most of us can keep track of, there is an even faster AMG C-Class, the low volume, stratospherically priced “Black" version.

Maybe we’ll look at that some other time. If you’re in the market for a two-door a little larger and less frantic, there are the “E400" versions of the E-Class coupe and Cabrio twins.

We took the wind-in-your-hair option.

These two-doors are variants on the refreshed E-Class range, all of which received substantial updates, and varied degrees of restyling, doing away with the quad headlights in the process.

The two-door variants are less face-lifted in that they retain the rounded crease lines on the rear haunches that have been eliminated from the sedans in favour of a “straight through" treatment. The bodywork is still a bit busy, the designers having gone for aggressive over elegance. The badge in the centre of the grille seems to keep getting bigger.

On pure looks, I can’t help but feel the A5 Audi has the edge.

In terms of how everything works, the new Cabrio is a wonder.

Fuel economy

The electronic systems are piled on, including active cruise control, lane technology that will steer for you if you take your hands off the wheel (for a short while before insisting you contribute to the driving process), self-parking, auto braking for pedestrians and more.

The biggest improvement in numerical terms is in the fuel economy department. In keeping with the modern German trend, the V8 has gone in favour of a twin-turbo V6.

This is down on power, but hardly short of power. The output is 245kW/480 newton metres, compared with 285kW and 530 Nm for the superseded V8.

The zero to 100 km/h time is 5.3 seconds. The six has a V8-like growl and punts the Cabrio around effortlessly.

The E400 has quite heavy steering, though with a good feel to it. In terms of ride comfort, particularly when compared with the C63, the E400 feels like a limousine.

The bodywork is taut but not entirely flex-free, suggesting that 245 kW is sufficient.

If the intention is to go hard, then the fixed roof E400 Coupe is the better option.

Enjoyable cruiser

Aside from being stiffer in the body, it is a tenth quicker to 100 km/h, and a handy $14,000 cheaper.

But as an enjoyable cruiser, the Cabrio is hard to beat.

The seven-speed auto is smooth though can be a little slow to react in normal settings.